According to the zoo and Guinness World Records, Fatou, the world’s oldest known gorilla, was born around 13 April 1957 and brought to Berlin Zoo in 1959, when she was still very young. She has lived far beyond the 35 to 40 years typically seen in the wild, underlining the much longer lifespans gorillas can reach in well-managed zoo environments.
In April 2026, Berlin Zoo marked her 69th birthday with a special meal of soft vegetables and other suitable food rather than cake, reflecting the dietary needs of an elderly gorilla. The zoo has increasingly emphasised long-term care for ageing animals, including tailored feeding, quieter housing and regular veterinary monitoring.
